Faye Whiley

PhD Project: The sustainability of a Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) reintroduction in Scotland

By the early 20th Century, large carnivores, such as the brown bear (Ursus arctos), wolf (Canis lupus), and the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), were extirpated from most of their natural range across Europe due to loss of habitat and prey, and persecution. Over the last decades, large carnivores have naturally recolonized, or large carnivore advocates have artificially reintroduced populations into, their former ranges. This is due to an increase in social tolerance, and recovery of habitat and prey populations.

Over recent years, an interest in reintroducing lynx into Britain has emerged. A large carnivore reintroduction into Britain brings much controversy as people have lived without large carnivores for hundreds of years. Additionally, as an island lynx would be unable to naturally re-establish Britain and an artificial reintroduction would be required.

To date, research has reported areas of habitat suitability and prey densities to support a Eurasian lynx reintroduction into Scotland. However, little research explores the long-term success of the reintroduction of this species into this area.

This research takes an interdisciplinary approach and aims to provide an integrated sustainability assessment of the social, economic, and biodiversity performance of a Eurasian lynx reintroduction into Scotland.

Supervisors

• Dr Joseph Tzanopoulos
• Professor Douglas MacMillan

Funding

SeNSS Studentship